A council has defended painting a set of double yellow lines measuring less than a metre long on a residential street.

The lines appear on Leigh Road in the Clifton area of Bristol, as part of a new residents' parking scheme.

Elected mayor George Ferguson introduced the controversial plans to combat parking problems in parts of the city.

Residents have poked fun at the lines - which are more than 50cm shorter than the front of a Smart car - on social media.

But a spokeswoman for Bristol City Council said they had been installed for a "very good reason" and prevented bad parking.

"Our intention is to optimise the available parking capacity in Bristol's residents' parking scheme areas," she said.

"There is a very good reason why these short sections of double yellow lines are installed and that is to prevent inconsiderate parking.

"We are ensuring residents with driveways and garages have enough space to get in and out of them; if, instead of being prevented from gaining access by motorists parking too close to or even over the entrance, they can actually use their driveways and garages it will create more space on the street for those without them."

Leigh Road is part of the Clifton East section of residents' parking zones (RPZ) in the city, with the scheme going live there on June 1.

The plans have been fiercely opposed by some businesses and residents, with more than £4,000 raised on a Crowdfunder site to fight them.

Resident Mike Owen tweeted a picture of a model of Top Gear's The Stig next to the lines, writing: "An optimist meets RPZ's optimised use of parking spaces in Clifton, Bristol West."

Mr Owen said: "I think this is just typical of the bullish approach Bristol City Council have adopted to the whole scheme.

"They believe they know best every time. I've looked at the ten smallest cars and I can't find one that would fit that space.

"I just can't think of anything that would fit there. Perhaps George Ferguson would like to try and park his car there."

Mr Owen said around 2,000 written objections had been filed to the council against the scheme.

"It seems extraordinary that George Ferguson is pushing forward," he added.

"There were three petitions in the last two years, paint pots through over parking meters, a tank out on two occasions.